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Football is a famously fickle game, something that was demonstrated once again over the weekend as, after talks of crisis for the last fortnight, Arsenal responded with an emphatic 5-0 win over Crystal Palace.

The scoreline might slightly flatter the Gunners, but Mikel Arteta's side have well and truly barged their way back into the Premier League title race.

While things look to be back on track on the pitch, the transfer rumours have been flying in, and Ajax's young star, Jorrel Hato, is a name that is consistently linked to the Gunners.

However, while the young Dutchman looks to be an exciting prospect, Edu and Co would be much better served signing another defensive star touted for a move to N5 this month.

Arsenal look to Lisbon for defensive targets

According to a report from Portuguese outlet Record, Arsenal are still 'interested' in Sporting CP's defensive star Goncalo Inacio.

The report has revealed that alongside the Gunners, Chelsea, Machester United, Real Madrid, Liverpool and Newcastle United have also all maintained their interest in the talented centre-back, with a number of those sides – including the north Londoners – having sent scouts to watch him play on several occasions now.

This interest from some of Europe's most prominent and wealthiest teams is far from ideal for Arsenal, but the potential fee required to sign the 22-year-old isn't.

Record claim that the Sporting man has a release clause of €60m – about £51m – inserted into his contract, and while that is still a lot of money, it isn't egregious for one of the continent's most sought-after young defenders, especially when compared to the €100m (£86m) plus that journalist Suleyman Öztürk expects Hato to be sold for.

How Inacio compares to Hato

The first thing to say is that based on their performances this season and the hype that they are both generating Arsenal would do well to sign either Inacio or Hato, as it would be a pretty good bet to assume that the pair will be playing at the top level for quite some time.

Arsenal could sign £86m-rated "world-class" ace to be their own Salah

The 28-year-old could rival Bukayo Saka for a starting role.

By
Jack Salveson Holmes

Jan 22, 2024

However, there are a few reasons why a move for the "simply amazing" Sporting man, as described by talent scout Jacek Kulig, ahead of the Dutchman just makes sense.

The first is the aforementioned price, as the €40m (£34m) differential is simply too significant to ignore in this era of intense FFP scrutiny, and with rumours that Hato is set to sign a new deal with Ajax, that price difference could become even more prominent.

Then is their age. The Rotterdamn-born prospect is still just 17 years old, and for as impressive and mature as he has looked so far this season, to expect him to come into the Premier League and instantly challenge for a spot in Arsenal's backline could be a recipe for disaster, especially if he moves with a massive price tag hanging over his head.

The "insane" Inacio, as dubbed by U23 scout Antonio Mango, on the other hand, is 22 and has a few seasons of senior professional football under his belt already, which should make the transition to English football far easier.

Finally, when comparing the pair's underlying numbers, nothing jumps out as a justification for spending significantly more money on a less proven defender, and, if anything, it is the Sporting man who comes out looking slightly more impressive.

For example, he produces significantly more progressive passes and passes into the penalty area per 90 than his young competition, and while he makes fewer tackles per 90, he wins a greater percentage of them. On the surface, Inacio looks like one of the most composed centre-backs around, notably ranking in the top 1% of defenders in leagues similar to the Portuguese top-flight for passes completed per 90 minutes.

Ultimately, both players look destined for a great career at the very top of the game, but if Arsenal want to sign a defender who can have an instant impact on the team, they should be looking at Inacio, not Hato.

Legspinner admits ability to bowl his variations had been hampered but now hopes to be “back to his best”

ESPNcricinfo staff12-Jul-20195:31

#PoliteEnquiries: Roy v Dharmasena, Psychic Jofra, is MS Dhoni finished?

It was a delivery that not only claimed Australia’s fifth wicket, but confirmed the sense that England were on their way to the World Cup final. Adil Rashid’s googly to trap Marcus Stoinis lbw was a fine example of England’s legspinner going about his craft as well as an indication that he is getting “back to my best” after a shoulder injury that hampered his performance earlier in the tournament.Rashid has been managing a problem with his right shoulder that required an injection and limited his ability to deliver his variations. The dismissal of Stoinis was his first wicket from a googly at this World Cup, and he followed up later in the innings by also removing Pat Cummins with the delivery on the way to figures of 3 for 54.He admitted afterwards that he had been searching to “find that snap” with his wrong’un again after recovering from the injury.ALSO READ: England ‘won’t listen to favourites chat’ – Bayliss”Probably not bowled them as much,” he said. “The main reason was because of my shoulder because I’ve got a bit of a shoulder problem. But I knew that [the googly] is a big weapon for me, that’s one of my big weapons, my variations, looking to create stuff. My shoulder had that little bit of problem and I know I still had to bowl it even if I was in a bit of a pain. Knowing that’s my strength, that’s why I get wickets. Today and the previous two days of practice I’ve done was for that as well.”It’s been good for a while. But in terms of variations, googlies and stuff, it’s been a bit different to what it was pre-shoulder problem. Before the shoulder [injury], I was confident bowling everything. Once you have a niggle it becomes a bit harder with the rotation – the arm gets a bit lower and you don’t find that snap. The previous two net sessions I’ve done it’s come out well.”While he said he had been forced to deliver his googly differently for a while, Rashid was hopeful that problem had now been resolved and said that the dismissal of Stoinis provided further encouragement.”It has been [different]. But now I can get it back to my best. That would come by maybe having that confidence to do it regardless of whatever happens and knowing that I need to do it because that’s my best strength.”It was nice to make a batsman go for a cut on the back foot and spinning it back in that he doesn’t pick, that’s a nice feeling as any spinner that bowls a variation [knows], that a batsman doesn’t pick and gets a wicket. That just gives me more confidence to make sure I keep sticking to my strengths, don’t go away from that regardless of how I feel, knowing if I stick to that things will happen.”Adil Rashid took two wickets in one over to halt Australia’s recovery•Getty ImagesRashid’s performance also included breaking Australia’s fourth-wicket partnership, having Alex Carey caught on the midwicket boundary, before he struck against Stoinis three balls later. He now has 11 World Cup wickets at 44.27, but those figures could have been better had other chances stuck – notably the drop of Mohammad Hafeez at Trent Bridge and a missed stumping against Usman Khawaja at Lord’s – and Rashid suggested he was happy with his bowling.”I reckon there’s been a few times I’ve bowled better but not got the rewards. But that happens in cricket, sometimes you bowl well and don’t get wickets. You don’t bowl as well, you get wickets. That’s cricket and that happens to everybody. For me personally, I want to keep striving, keep looking to work hard and keeping looking to deliver my skills and be confident in that.”Having become a central figure in the first England team to reach a World Cup final since 1992, Rashid was quick to praise Eoin Morgan as “100%” the best captain he had played under.”100%, Morgs. He knows my game now inside out. Been with him for four years, through good times and not so good times. He knows my strengths, what I’m capable of and vice-versa as well.”Me and him have that communication. We have that trust as well. If he senses a feel, we’ll go by it. If I sense a feel, we’ll go by it – what plans we want or how we should bowl. It’s very easy like that. We’re easygoing like that. I 100% trust him in decisions he makes.”As for their progress to the final against New Zealand at Lord’s on Sunday, Rashid said the realisation was beginning to dawn that they could become the first England team to lift the trophy.”At the beginning of the tournament I couldn’t believe it. It’s been a good journey in the World Cup. The ups, the downs as well. Some interesting times. We’ve played good cricket the past three games and now to be in a position where we can win it, it’s a good feeling.”

Seniors Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor, who had been sidelined from the ODI series against UAE with injuries, have returned to Zimbabwe’s squad for their limited-overs tour of Netherlands, which starts with the first ODI in Deventer on June 19. Masakadza will take back captaincy from Peter Moor, who had stood in as captain in Masakadza’s absence.ALSO READ: Netherlands recall Vivian Kingma, Bas de Leede for Zimbabwe seriesRegis Chakabva, Timycen Maruma and Brian Chari, who were all part of the series against UAE, miss out as they are currently playing in England. Spinners Brandon Mavuta and Tony Munyonga, meanwhile, were dropped.Uncapped left-arm spinner Ainsley Ndlovu has been retained in the squad as the lone frontline spinner. Ndlovu will be assisted by fellow left-armer Sean Williams and offspin-bowling allrounder Sikandar Raza.Richmond Mutumbami is likely to keep wicket, replacing Chakabva. Also returning to the squad are Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, who had led the Eagles to the Pro 50 title earlier this year, and batting allrounder Ryan Burl.Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu and Donald Tiripano make up a familiar seam attack that will also be bolstered by the presence of allrounder Elton Chigumbura.The sides will play two ODIs in Deventer before moving to Rotterdam for the two T20Is that will round off the tour. Zimbabwe will then head to Ireland to play three ODIs and three T20Is.Squad: Hamilton Masakadza (captain), Brendan Taylor, Peter Moor, Solomon Mire, Sean Williams, Sikandar Raza, Donald Tiripano, Kyle Jarvis, Tendai Chatara, Chris Mpofu, Craig Ervine, Ainsley Ndlovu, Elton Chigumbura, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Ryan BurlIn: Hamilton Masakadza, Brendan Taylor, Richmond Mutumbami, Tinashe Kamunhukamwe, Ryan BurlOut: Regis Chakabva, Timycen Maruma, Brian Chari , Brandon Mavuta, Tony Munyonga

Manchester United full-back Luke Shaw will be named in the England squad for Euro 2024, despite having been out injured since February.

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Shaw hasn't played since FebruaryMade just 15 appearances this seasonExpected to be in 30-man squadWHAT HAPPENED?

Shaw has struggled with injuries for much of the season which have limited him to just 15 appearances in all competitions at club level. The latest muscle injury saw him miss the Red Devils' run in to the end of the Premier League campaign and coach Erik ten Hag has said he only has a very small chance of being available for the FA Cup final on Saturday.

AdvertisementGettyTHE BIGGER PICTURE

Despite Shaw's struggles, England manager Gareth Southgate will name him as part of the 30-man squad for the summer tournament in France, the news agency reports. That squad will then be cut down to 26 players before June 7.

DID YOU KNOW?

Shaw is not the only fitness concern for Southgate. Bukayo Saka, Marcus Rashford and Harry Kane have also been struggling of late, while Jude Bellingham could be unavailable the pre-tournament friendlies due to his involvement in the Champions League final on June 1.

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Getty ImagesWHAT NEXT FOR ENGLAND?

On Tuesday, Southgate will announce the players called up for the summer training camp before he decides who to cut from the team. His side will face Bosnia and Herzegovina and Iceland in friendlies before the competition on June 1 and June 7, respectively.

يستضيف نادي ريال مدريد نظيره ريال بيتيس، ضمن منافسات الجولة الرابعة من الدوري الإسباني لكرة القدم.

وتنطلق المباراة بين الفريقين في تمام الساعة العاشرة والنصف مساءً بتوقيت القاهرة على ملعب “سانتياجو برنابيو” في إطار منافسات الدوري الإسباني.

اقرأ أيضاً.. تقارير: فينيسيوس يتخذ قرارًا بشأن الانتقال إلى الدوري السعودي

ويقود المهاجم الفرنسي، كيليان مبابي، تشكيل ريال مدريد في مواجهة اليوم أمام ريال بيتيس. تشكيل ريال مدريد اليوم أمام ريال بيتيس في الدوري الإسباني

حراسة المرمى: تيبو كورتوا.

خط الدفاع: داني كارفاخال، أنطونيو روديجر، ميليتاو، فيرلاند ميندي.

خط الوسط: فيدي فالفيردي، أوريلين تشواميني، داني سيبايوس.

خط الهجوم: رودريجو، كيليان مبابي، فينيسيوس جونيور. بدلاء ريال مدريد أمام ريال بيتيس في الدوري الإسباني

أندريه لونين، فران جونزاليس، جاكوبو، لوكا مودريتش، أردا جولر، إندريك، إبراهيم دياز، لوكاس فاسكيز، فران جارسيا.

📋✅ ¡Nuestro XI inicial!
🆚 @RealBetis @UnicajaBanco | #RealMadridRealBetis pic.twitter.com/kJKI8gDKsb — Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) September 1, 2024

Chelsea secured a vital Premier League win against Brighton and Hove Albion over the weekend, despite going down to ten men in the first half as Conor Gallagher received two yellow cards and was sent for an early bath..

Despite playing at a disadvantage, the Blues led 3-1 heading into injury time and while there were nervy scenes after Joao Pedro scored to make it 3-2, Mauricio Pochettino’s men held on for an important three points.

On a different day, the ten men may not have held out and Gallagher was reckless for receiving a second booking and potentially letting the team down.

Conor Gallagher’s game in numbers vs Brighton

The Englishman was deployed in a number ten role just behind Nicolas Jackson and, during his spell on the pitch before receiving his marching orders, the midfielder completed 91% of his passes, succeeded with 100% of his attempted dribbles along with making two tackles.

His sending-off could have changed the course of the match, however, and it was the second Chelsea match in a row in which they have had their skipper for the day sent off after Reece James against Newcastle United.

While Gallagher failed to showcase his true talents, it was Jackson leading the line who was arguably Pochettino’s biggest disappointment, as he failed to have any real meaningful impact on the game.

Nicolas Jackson’s game in numbers vs Brighton

The striker has found the back of the net on seven occasions since joining from Villarreal for £30m in the summer, yet he hasn’t quite lived up to the hype generated upon his arrival.

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The attacker was tasked with leading the line against the south coast side on Sunday afternoon and while his link-up play was generally solid, he failed to provide any real contribution outside his assist for Levi Colwill’s goal.

During his 72-minute spell on the pitch, Jackson took just 31 touches of the ball and completed only eight passes, with both of these statistics dismally proving to be lower than those achieved by Robert Sanchez, indicating how isolated he was at times.

Minutes played

72

Touches

18

Accurate passes

8/9 (89%)

Key passes

1

Shots

1

Dribble success

1/3

Duels won

3/11

Possession lost

7x

Fouls

1

Expected goals (xG)

0.29

The striker contested 11 total duels, but won only three, and perhaps he is still too lightweight to cope with the Premier League at the moment, while the former La Liga gem lost possession seven times and succeeded with just one of his three attempted dribbles.

Pochettino is lacking in a top-class centre-forward and this has meant he has had to persist with utilising Jackson in that role, but the 22-year-old is taking longer to adapt to English football than first anticipated.

The more he plays, the better he will get, but Pochettino will be requiring his players to hit the ground running as they chase a European spot for the 2024/25 campaign.

The win against the Seagulls will give them plenty of confidence, especially doing so with ten men for large sections of the tie, but the Argentinian will be demanding more from players such as Jackson as the festive period begins in a couple of weeks.

If the former Villarreal starlet can grab another few goals, his confidence will surely blossom.

Tottenham Hotspur are set to open their transfer chequebook in January and BBC pundit Alan Hutton has tipped Ange Postecoglou to strengthen one key position in N17.

Tottenham Hotspur gear up for January…

On the face of it, Tottenham Hotspur have made a really encouraging start to the Premier League campaign under Australian boss Postecoglou, who has led his side to fifth place in the table with 26 points taken from 13 fixtures played.

Nevertheless, the Lilywhites are on a run of three straight losses in the English top flight, something that won't fill them with too much confidence ahead of their visit to Manchester City on Sunday.

Casting an eye to the New Year, the north Londoners will be keen to venture into the market for new additions, especially when factoring in the injury crisis that is currently present in N17, involving the likes of James Maddison, Micky van de Ven, Ivan Perisic, Ryan Sessegnon, Manor Solomon, Richarlison, Pape Sarr, Ashley Phillips and Alfie Whiteman.

Arrivals will be necessary to help bolster squad depth in key areas and Postecoglou looks to have a central midfielder in his sights. Reports suggest that Genk star Bilal El Khannouss is on Spurs' radar and could cost around £15 million to prize away from the Jupiler Pro League outfit.

Al-Ittihad winger Jota is another face who could pitch up at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in January and is believed to be keen on a reunion with his old boss at Celtic; however, Postecoglou is in the process of deliberating whether the Portuguese ace would suit Premier League football, as per The Sun.

Now, BBC pundit Hutton has tipped the Lilywhites' manager to recruit in another key area to help challenge one of his first-team men for his spot in the starting lineup.

Alan Hutton reacts to Gavin Bazunu links

Speaking to Football Insider, BBC pundit Hutton has tipped Tottenham Hotspur to sign Southampton goalkeeper Gavin Bazunu in January, who is said to be a target for Spurs, according to the outlet.

Gavin Bazunu in 2023/24 – all competitions (Transfermarkt)

Appearances

18

Goals conceded

27

Clean sheets

3

Former Scotland international Hutton stated: "You absolutely need to sign someone now to challenge Vicario. But you see the problems that have happened at Arsenal with people constantly talking about [Aaron Ramsdale and David Raya].

“The pressure is on them to not make mistakes, otherwise they’re out! It’ll be an interesting one. I think Vicario is the number one as he’s done really well since he’s come in. He’s made some big saves in big moments and he’s really grown within the team.

“Bazunu would be good if he does come in, but he won’t be number one. Is he there to push Vicario? Probably.”

Dubbed "brilliant" by Southampton boss Russell Martin, the 21-year-old has proven his worth between the sticks in the Championship this term, maintaining a save success rate of around 60% (Bazunu statistics – FBRef).

Given the peripheral role that both Fraser Forster and Hugo Lloris now play at Tottenham Hotspur, it may make sense to bring in a younger alternative in the form of the Republic of Ireland international to challenge Guglielmo Vicario for his place in the side.

Related Spurs could sign a Saliba clone with move for £39m titan

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Posts ByAngus Sinclair Nov 30, 2023

Nelson Mandela Bay Giants were kept to 137 for 9 in a chase of 166 on a slow pitch in Port Elizabeth

Liam Brickhill09-Dec-2018Gihahn Cloete targets the off side•MSLAB de Villiers’ Tshwane Spartans kept their Mzansi Super League play-off hopes alive, holding Nelson Mandela Bay Giants to 137 for 9 to secure a 28-run victory at St George’s Park. Opener Gihahn Cloete’s third fifty of the competition carried Spartans to 165 for 4 on a pitch that played slightly on the slow side, and de Villiers then set the tone early in defence of the total, pulling off a stunning diving catch in the outfield. Shaun von Berg’s canny legbreaks were instrumental in maintaining Spartans’ control with the ball, and he collected 3 for 19 in four overs.While Spartans would have been even happier with a bonus point – they have yet to secure one so far this season – the victory nonetheless took them to fourth place on the points table, with two games in hand, as well as slightly improving their net run-rate. Giants remain third on 21 points with one more round robin game against Paarl Rocks on Wednesday. The inaugural MSL title race is still wide open for every team apart from Durban Heat.De Villiers did his first job right in calling correctly at the toss and opting to bat, knowing that a pitch that encouraged the spinners would be difficult to chase on. Cloete backed up the decision with a 59-ball 65 that anchored the innings and laid a platform. Pushed up to open, Cloete dealt with the early loss of Andrea Agathangelou by sharing in a 72-run stand with Dean Elgar, who hit three sixes in his 32.Together they took Spartans to 44 for 1 in the Powerplay, and even found ways to attack the spinners, hitting sixes off the captain Jon-Jon Smuts, Aaron Phangiso and Imran Tahir before Tahir had Elgar driving uppishly into the hands of Heino Kuhn at cover in the 10th over.Tahir should also have had de Villiers lbw in his third over soon afterwards. He rushed a slider on to the batsman’s pads to start the over, prompting an appeal that was turned down. There was another more vehement plea four balls later as Tahir rapped de Villiers on the pad with a legbreak only for umpire Shaun George to shake his head again. Replays showed the ball pitching in line and going on to crash into leg stump. Tahir was distraught. Even more so when de Villiers reverse-swept the very next delivery for four.De Villiers wasn’t at his vintage best, managing a slightly scratchy 33 before he was out in the final over, but Eoin Morgan gave the innings some impetus, swatting two sixes – the first via a leading edge – in a rapid cameo to push the total above par.Giants knew that a win in this game would virtually secure their place in the play-offs, but when they lost three wickets inside the Powerplay, their task looked increasingly difficult. Giants lost Jason Roy in the first over, and Rudi Second to de Villiers’ brilliant outfield catch minutes later. Seamer Lutho Sipamla overcame a no-ball and a Free Hit that went for six to dismiss Smuts for 26, and then the spinners took over.Von Berg trapped Kuhn lbw in his very first over, and Jeevan Mendis had Christiaan Jonker stumped with a ripping legbreak as Giants slipped into trouble at 73 for 5. When von Berg had Chris Morris caught reverse-sweeping to point and Duckett was run out seeking a single off a misfield for 47, Giants were 92 for 7 and suddenly a vital bonus point seemed a distinct possibility for Spartans.Sisanda Magala struck two enormous sixes to keep Spartans sweating, but he fell attempting a third off von Berg. De Villiers’ men went into the penultimate over with just two runs to play with in order to secure the bonus point and Giants’ last pair at the crease. Despite an lbw appeal and a scrambled single that might have seen Tahir run out, Sipamla couldn’t grab the vital wicket, but Spartans had already done enough at least to keep themselves in the hunt for the play-offs.

West Ham United boast a rich history of developing the next big stars through their academy.

In the professional football setting, there is something special about a club that places its faith in the next generation, plucking them out of the academy and throwing them straight into the deep end of first-team football.

It's a strategy that the Hammers have executed to perfection having seen Declan Rice join Arsenal for £105m in the summer, but it isn't the only time that the club have pocketed millions from a former youth prodigy.

In the 1990s, West Ham had arguably the most prolific academy set up in the country, unearthing a whole host of generational English talents into the first-team, including Frank Lampard, Rio Ferdinand, Michael Carrick and Jermain Defoe.

Defoe, in particular, is someone David Moyes would love to count upon in the present day having watched him terrorise Premier League defences for nearly two decades with his clinical finishing.

Jermaine Defoe's goal record at West Ham

Defoe was snapped up from London rivals Charlton Athletic at the age of 16 in 1999 and despite his tender age, it didn't take him long to make himself a hero at Upton Park.

He made his debut in a League Cup tie at Walsall in September 2000, aged 17, and his performance in that match foreshadowed the rest of his illustrious career in the top flight.

The youngster, who starred in the under-19 team that won the Premier Academy League title in 1999–2000 and scored twice against Arsenal in the play-off final, would bag on his senior debut for the club in a 1-0 win against the Saddlers.

At the end of the 2000/01 campaign, he was handed his league debut by then-manager Glenn Roeder, replacing Svetoslav Todorov, and would go on to score 40 goals in 104 appearances for the Hammers before joining Tottenham Hotspur for £7m in 2004.

As the saying goes, the rest is history, with Defoe becoming one of the greatest strikers to ever grace the Premier League, scoring 163 goals in 496 appearances, which places him in ninth in the all-time rankings.

After graduating from West Ham's academy, Defoe's legacy of goalscoring has only inspired the next generation of strikers in east London, and one of those is current academy starlet, Callum Marshall.

Callum Marshall's goal record in 23/24

Marshall is an 18-year-old striker who has taken the Premier League 2 by storm this term, plundering a whopping 13 goals in eight appearances, including a brace in a sensational 4-0 victory over Liverpool.

Lauded as "incredible" by journalist Antonio Mango for those staggering scoring exploits, the teenager tops the scoring charts in the competition, above the likes of Chelsea's Ronnie Stutter and Manchester United's Joe Hugill.

The youngster, who won the PL2 Player of the Month award for September, is showcasing attributes that were so readily associated with Defoe throughout his career, having also netted three times in three EFL trophy outings this term – taking his total tally to 16 for the season.

He constantly lurks on the shoulder of the last defender, his sharp movement in behind is difficult to stop and his finishing this term has become unstoppable.

Perhaps more impressive, he's currently outscoring first-team star Jarrod Bowen, who – like Marshall – is currently in the form of his life.

In all competitions this term, Bowen has scored nine goals in 16 appearances, which is an impressive record in itself, but it doesn't come close to eclipsing the talented teenager's exploits.

If Marshall continues to dazzle defences in the under-21s, the opportunity to become a first-team regular, as Defoe did, will look increasingly likely.

Tottenham Hotspur have enjoyed a near-faultless start to the Premier League season, with Ange Postecoglou seemingly seeking to build upon such success with some January additions…

Who could Spurs sign in January?

With the summer window a largely profitable one for the new manager, welcoming stars like James Maddison and Micky van de Ven, it is unparalleled the speed with which they have hit the ground running and kickstarted the new revolution.

The Lilywhites are once again at the apex of English football, and whilst it may not last forever, the former Celtic boss will be keen to continue their fine form at least for a few more months until he can begin dipping into the market once again for additional reinforcements.

One such name that refuses to go away is Santiago Gimenez, who they reportedly did try to sign throughout the summer.

Given how the Feyenoord star has started the new season, it is set to be a far more difficult switch now, with reports suggesting his price tag has risen to €50m (£43m). However, that has not clearly put off the north London outfit, who retain an interest in the Mexican marksman who could finally allow Postecoglou to ditch Richarlison.

How has Richarlison performed at Spurs?

Of all the good work performed by the Australian, his one struggle thus far has been in attempting to get his Brazilian striker firing once again.

Having inherited the former Everton man following the doomed Antonio Conte reign, who had been purchased for a mouth-watering £60m in 2022, just one league goal across the entire 2022/23 campaign was a torrid return for such a huge investment.

Whilst it could have been chalked up to the poor management throughout a tumultuous year, his start to the new term is suggestive that he is just not good enough for the level that Postecoglou will seek to take his new side, with the 26-year-old once again having scored just a sole goal despite raining down 2.3 shots per game, enduring a woeful 6% conversion rate, via Sofascore.

Who is Santiago Gimenez?

To trade such profligacy out for the ever-proficient Gimenez could prove revolutionary for the Lilywhites, who could get a huge injection of goals at the perfect time to spearhead the most unlikely of European pushes, or even more.

After all, the 20-cap ace would finish last term on an impressive 28 goals across all competitions, having shone on his debut season in the Netherlands, and yet still seems set to demolish that tally given his start to the new campaign.

His record of 12 goals and two assists across just eight appearances marks a phenomenal return, and one which was always bound to draw the interest of some European powerhouses. Given last term saw Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig suggest he was "on fire" for his goalscoring form, it remains to be seen how he might describe this even more impressive start.

However, the 6-foot forward offers far more than just cutting edge, with enough physicality to compete within the English game and a turn of pace to frighten defenders.

Postecoglou needs no reason to ditch Richarlison anyway, but acquiring an efficient and devastating finisher like Gimenez might just put the final nail in his coffin.